Design of microstructures for the emergence of macroscopic function by homogenization method and genetic algorithms

In this paper, a design procedure of the microstructure of composite materials is proposed for the emergence of desired macroscopic function. The homogenization method is used for the expression of the correlativity between micro- and macroscopic properties, and genetic algorithms (GA) is used to solve the optimization problem. Using the micro-macro correlative database of material properties constructed by the homogenization method, the design problem is separated into micro- and macroscopic sub-problems. Thus, the proposed procedure is quite efficient and extendable to various design problems of new advanced materials such as functionally gradient materials. As an example, a plate of graded micro-porous materials, that is free of warp and/or twist under the environment with temperature gradient from the upper to lower surfaces, is shown.